A Sidelined Christmas

Making Spirits Bright

by Toni Shiloh

Sidelined with a career-ending injury, wide receiver Jahleel Walker is forced to return to his hometown of Peachwood Bay, Georgia to heal. Nothing shocks him more than running into his high-school sweetheart, Lucille “Bebe” Gordon.

Bebe Gordon returned to Peachwood Bay three years ago with a divorce certificate and her daughter, Hope. When Jahleel returns, all the memories of the past come rushing back. She can’t decide if he’s changed or if her heart is holding onto past hurts.

Will Jahleel and Bebe take a chance on love or let life sidelined them at Christmas?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Fiction, Novella, Holiday

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2018

About the author

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. A native of Texas, she now lives in northern Virginia. Learn more at http://tonishiloh.com.

Reviews

[Toni Shiloh]

Reader friends,

I hope you enjoy your journey with Bebe and Jahleel in this Christmas novella.

Blessings,
Toni

*Previously published in Making Spirits Bright collection.

[Kate Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dawwww. Super cute. 💚 I waited to long to review this, so I'll just say, if it's by Toni Shiloh, it's going to be good. <3

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been disappointed by a Toni Shiloh book and A Sidelined Christmas was certainly no exception. I absolutely adored this story. It made for a super cute and quick read with plenty of the Christmas feels I want this time of year. The fact that Bebe and Jahleel had known each other so long definitely helped the plot line because it otherwise may have felt too rushed, but I didn't feel that way at all. Their chemistry was great and I actually enjoyed that there was some tension about them giving their relationship a second chance but not some huge drama fueled blow up that tends to happen in romance novels. If you have never read a Toni Shiloh book, you should. Start with any of them because you can't go wrong.

[Courtney Lyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Toni Shiloh's stories. This definitely could have been a full length novel, there was so much in it that could have been delved into further, but I was also perfectly content with the length it was.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hurting heroine, Bebe, and a broken hero, Jay, try to recapture what they had way back in high school.
This was a delightful story with loads of Southern charm. May was a great best friend who helped Bebe see what she wanted for the rest of her life. Adorable daughter, Hope showed unreserved trust and hope. This was a story of restoration, forgiveness and recovered romance.
I love the author’s voice and he4 Southern settings. It is clear she is a people watcher and how they act and react.
A great, quick read with lessons as a bonus.
*I purchased this ebook from Amazon. All opinions are my own.*

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sidelined Christmas by Toni Shiloh is a sweet and charming romance between old friends. This story focuses on the importance of family and friendship; and shows that old friendships and love can be renewed. People make mistakes and if given a second chance, can show that they have changed and are better than before. Shiloh’s writing is sweet and touches the heart as readers become attached to the fun characters and delightful story. This is definitely a holiday must read.

Genre: contemporary, romance, holiday, Christmas
Publisher: Indi
Publication date: November 1, 2017
Number of pages: A Sidelined Christmas – a little over 100; Making Spirits Bright Collection – 577

A copy of this book was purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Andrea Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Raelee Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, there's so much about this story. The romance is charming with just enough, but the mother/daughter relationship between BeBe and Hope is magically sweet. A great read for Christmas or anytime.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Sidelined Christmas” by Toni Shiloh

Jahleel Walker gets injured early in the football season. Am I jury he may or may not recover from. Bebe Gordon was his next door neighbor and a long ago sweetheart. When Jay comes home to rehab he runs into Bebe and is glad to see her after so many years. She, on the other hand, has no interest in seeing him. All it does is bring up anger and other negative emotions.

Will Jay and Bebe at least be able to call a truce or will they both sideline the other due to old history and, potentially, misguided signals of the present?

Rating: 4.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celebrate a Sweet Southern Christmas

I’ve been wanting to read one of Toni’s books, and I’m a sucker for novellas. There’s nothing like a quick, light read.
Bebe and Jaleel are well-developed characters (not always the case for novellas), They have a shared past which makes the story of a kindergarten teacher and injured NFL player more believable. Celebrity type romance are hard to pull off and Toni nails it. The supporting characters add to the story especially Jay and his dad’s rocky relationship and Hope, Bebe’s adorable daughter.

[Marie Pinkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

So romantic

A sweet romantic story. Join Bebe and Jahleel as they are reunited. Bebe was hurt when he left after high school to play football. Now Jahleel is back. Can Bebe forgive him, and can they start all over? Now she doesn't just have herself to think about, but little Hope as well. And Hope's father already abandoned them. She can't risk her heart or her daughter's. A satisfying story that hits all the right notes.

[Carol Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

This is the first book I’ve read from this author. I really enjoyed the story about a second chance of love. The characters were realistic and the story well written. I look forward to reading her other books.

[Katy Eeten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet southern Christmas romance

What a beautiful and well written story! A sweet, clean read that honors God and made me want to keep reading to the very end. Shows that not everything goes the way we plan, but God can work it all for good.

[Sharon Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new favorite author!

This is the first book I've read by her and it will not be the last! I enjoyed the interaction between BeBe and Jay. Her love for her daughter was so great!

[Necee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! What a great reunion Christmas story ♥️

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, sweet romance and is very well written. Interesting characters and loved getting to know them and see how things turned out for them.

[Ava Smith-forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

High five

Sweet reconciliation for Jay and Bebe. I truly enjoyed the Walker family story line. So glad Rev Walker and Jay were able to begin to iron out their differences.

[R.j. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This was enjoyable. I thought it was a nice story. I’m not much into football so that was kind of not my thing. But the plot was good and the characters were good as well.

[Ammina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, but left me hanging!!!

I would love to know what happens with Will and his request to give up his paternal right. Will May and Ryan work out?
Patiently waiting......

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

The author never stops amazing me with enjoyable and incredibly magical storylines. The characters evolved into caring agreeable people. No drama needed.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with genuine characters

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bebe and Jaleel second chances or will past hurts once again be in the way.
Enjoyable story of two people who knew one another before. Could love and family await them now

[R Ellis Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touchdown

Loved this story. The characters and storyline was great. I recommend this book.
I couldn't put it down. Mrs. Shiloh did an awesome job with this book. Now I must
check out more of her books to read.

[Patriciaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas romance, a perfect holiday read

I love holiday romances. Can't get enough and each year I think I look foe them earlier and earlier. This year I stumbled upon an author who is new to me, although she has multiple published books. Toni Shiloh gave me a holiday romance coupled w another fave, sports romance, as a delicious kick-off to the holiday reading season. Faith, romance, laughter and fun mixed in the right proportions. This was my first Shiloh romance. It won't be my last.

[Shirley Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet Christmas novella. I liked the use of past history to speed up the flow of the story without feeling like the relationship was rushed. My only issue was the question of how a sleigh was being used in Georgia.

[Samyuktha Ell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read. Questions that remain after the book: does Will's request to give up his paternal rights get approved? The story leaves a smile on your face. Great plot and wonderful characters.

For someone who vowed never to return home when his father kicked him out for wanting to play professional football, Ray sure does come back and win over more important things in his life!

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the immense honor of beta reading this fabulous novella! I am a huge fan of Toni Shiloh's books, and I absolutely loved this one!
I loved both main characters Bebe and Jahleel, I love a good second-chance romance and it was so fabulous to watch this one develop! I also adored Bebe's daughter, Hope, she was just so incredibly cute, sweet, and endearingly precocious!
I am always blown away by Toni's fabulous writing, and A Sidelined Christmas is no exception!
This novella held my attention and kept me completely engaged from page one, it was just so good, and it gave me all the same feels I get from watching one of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies which I absolutely loved!
Seriously, A Sidelined Christmas was so amazing, I highly recommend it, and eagerly await Toni's next book!

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author continues to write stories that touch the heart while giving hope and encouragement. What would you do if an injury changed your life forever? Read this story and cheer on the characters. Great story.

[Tammy Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good!

I am a hopeful romantic and a new fan of this author and spent a great deal of my day enjoying this book! I definitely recommend this book!

[Lucette Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toni Shiloh never disappoints!